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 Son of character actor Robert Keith and stage actress Helena Shipman. He grew up on the road with his parents while they toured in plays. First appeared at age 3 in film Pied Piper Malone (1924) with his father. Began acting in radio programs and on stage before World War II. Joined the Marines and served as a machine gunner. Returned to Broadway stage after the war and branched out into television and film. Worked as an extra in several films before achieving speaking roles and subsequent stardom.
Bio:
Son of character actor Robert Keith and stage actress Helena Shipman. He grew up on the road with his parents while they toured in plays. First appeared at age 3 in film Pied Piper Malone (1924) with his father. Began acting in radio programs and on stage before World War II. Joined the Marines and served as a machine gunner. Returned to Broadway stage after the war and branched out into television and film. Worked as an extra in several films before achieving speaking roles and subsequent stardom.
Tivia:
At the time of his death, Keith was suffering from emphysema and terminal lung cancer. He had been a heavy smoker until 1986, quitting a decade before his diagnoses. He was also mourning the death of his 27-year-old daughter, Daisy Keith, who had committed suicide 10 weeks earlier. He also had financial problems. All of these were contributing factors to Keith's own suicide on June 24, 1997. His last work appeared after his death: voice-over work in the final episode of Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994), and an on-screen appearance in Follow Your Heart (1999). He is interred in Westwood Village Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California.He served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II, and received an Air Medal. He was the rear-facing gunner on an SBD Dauntless, a scout/dive bomber, used extensively by the Marine Corps and Navy, that saw a great deal of action in the Pacific during WWII. His weapons were twin-mounted .30 caliber Browning machine guns. Heparticularly saw action on Rabal in the Pacific.Keith was predeceased by two of his children: his first son, Michael, who died in childhood in 1963, and his daughter, Daisy Keith, who committed suicide at age 27.When future Family Affair (1966) co-star Johnny Whitaker appeared in the movie The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966), Keith was so impressed by Johnny's acting that he invited him to co-star in Keith's new sitcom.Met actor Michael Landon on an episode of Crusader (1955). The two became good friends from 1956 until Landon's death on July 1, 1991.His final film Rough Riders (1997) was dedicated to his memory.In 1945, seeking a commission as an officer in the Merchant Marine after four years' service in the Marine Corps, Keith was rejected due to his poor scores in algebra.Remained good friends with Johnny Whitaker and Kathy Garver, during and after Family Affair (1966).Made a comeback with a successful TV series when he was age 62.Owned a 200-acre ranch in Redlands, California and a 41-foot yacht 'Maialoha' off Waikiki.Although Keith had been acting since age three, he didn't appear in his first film until age 31. Before making his mark on screen, he acted in stock theater productions and on radio.Keith's third wife and widow, artist Victoria Young, was almost 23 years his junior. A native of Hawaii, she guest-starred with him on two episodes of Hardcastle and McCormick (1983). On The Little People (1972), she played a nurse. She and Keith had two children, Bobby (an artist) and Daisy Keith (who committed suicide, predeceasing both her parents).Changed his first name from Robert to Brian Keith, before becoming an actor.Actors Kathy Garver and Johnny Whitaker were said to be huge fans of his when they were both growing up. They both co-starred alongside him on Family Affair (1966), and stayed with the show until its cancellation in 1971.He was cast as the Russian astrophysicist Dr. Dubov in Meteor (1979) and Soviet Premier Gorny in World War III (1982) because he spoke fluent Russian.Keith was the stepson of two actresses, first, Peg Entwistle, who committed suicide, jumping from the "H" of the famous Hollywood Sign in 1932. His second stepmother, Dorothy Tierney, remained wed to his father until the latter's death.Guest starred on the first episode of Murder, She Wrote (1984).Met a young actor James Drury while making the film Ten Who Dared (1960); they became and remained friends until Keith's suicide on June 24, 1997.Was close friends with Charlton Heston.Commuted from Los Angeles to Hawaii to film The Little People (1972), every week for two seasons.He was disgusted in his role on Crusader (1955), because he thought the character was too much a souped-up action hero, not enough a regular guy.Before he found success as an actor, Keith worked in carnivals.Was very disappointed when Family Affair (1966), was canceled at the end of its fifth season during CBS's shift to more adult-oriented sitcom fare.Spent seven years on the New York stage in summer stock and live television before moving to California to find work in films.Used to reside not too far from his best friend Michael Landon.Was raised in Long Island, New York, by his grandmother.Keith's hobbies included: golfing, swimming, spending time with family, cooking, sailing, horseback riding, reading and painting.His ambition to follow his father into acting was delayed by World War II.Had boasted of telling CBS executives 'to go fly a kite' when they suggested toning down the content of his series The Westerner (1960) to make this more appealing to children.Was a commercial spokesperson for Camel Cigarettes in the 1950s.His future Family Affair (1966) co-star Kathy Garver had guest-starred with him twice: on an episode of his short-lived series Crusader (1955), and, just before his death, on Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994).Despite suffering an eye injury on the set of Hardcastle and McCormick (1983), he enjoyed his role on the series.Had four biological children (Michael, Mimi, Robert and Daisy) and three adopted children (Barbara, Betty and Rory). His first son, Michael, died in childhood in 1963. His 27-year old daughter, Daisy Keith, committed suicide 10 weeks before her father followed suit while battling terminal cancer. His son, Robert, was named for his father and grandfather.Was also good friends with John Mills' entire family.He was always producer Don Fedderson's first choice to play Uncle Bill Davis in Family Affair (1966).He never retired from acting until his death.He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on June 26, 2008.His second wife Judy Landon was an actress and dancer. They were married for 15 years until their divorce on May 2, 1969.Resided in Malibu, California, for over a quarter of a century, until his death on June 24, 1997.Father of Michael, Mimi, Robert and Daisy, and adoptive father of Barbara, Betty and Rory. His first son, Michael, died in childhood in 1963. His daughter Daisy Keith co-starred with him on Heartland (1989). His son, Robert, was named after his father (who was birth with the forename Robert) and his paternal grandfather.Attended and graduated from East Rockaway High School in East Rockaway, New York (1939).Began his career as a contract player for Paramount Pictures in 1953.Was offered the role of Deke Thornton in The Wild Bunch (1969), which he turned down, because he was under contract working on Family Affair (1966).Played the role of a real president of the United States in both of John Milius's films featuring Theodore Roosevelt. In The Wind and the Lion (1975), he co-starred as Roosevelt, himself. In Rough Riders (1997), Keith had a bit part as Theodore Roosevelt's predecessor, William McKinley (during the period when Roosevelt served as President McKinley's Assistant Secretary of the Navy).With the success of Family Affair (1966), Keith was able to star in another sitcom The Little People (1972).Actor Daniel Hugh Kelly was said to have been a huge fan of Keith, while growing up. His favorite movies in which Keith starred were The Rare Breed (1966) and Nevada Smith (1966). The two men remained friends during and after Hardcastle and McCormick (1983). Years later, he would land a co-starring role opposite Keith in Hardcastle and McCormick (1983), and stayed on the show until its cancellation in 1986.Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Uncle Bill Davis on Family Affair (1966).Beat out three other actors for the role of the title character in Hardcastle and McCormick (1983).Attended Michael Landon's funeral in 1991.Appeared on the front cover of TV Guide three times. |
| Name: |
Brian Keith |
Type: |
Actor,Director,Soundtrack (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Actor,Director,Soundtrack |
| Products for sale: |
Actor,Director,Soundtrack |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 05:20:15 |
| Height: |
6' 1?' (1.87 m) |
| Biography: |
Son of character actor Robert Keith and stage actress Helena Shipman. He grew up on the road with his parents while they toured in plays. First appeared at age 3 in film Pied Piper Malone (1924) with his father. Began acting in radio programs and on |
| Trivia: |
At the time of his death, Keith was suffering from emphysema and terminal lung cancer. He had been a heavy smoker until 1986, quitting a decade before his diagnoses. He was also mourning the death of his 27-year-old daughter, Daisy Keith, who had committed suicide 10 weeks earlier. He also had financial problems. All of these were contributing factors to Keith's own suicide on June 24, 1997. His last work appeared after his death: voice-over work in the final episode of Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994), and an on-screen appearance in Follow Your Heart (1999). He is interred in Westwood Village Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California.He served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II, and received an Air Medal. He was the rear-facing gunner on an SBD Dauntless, a scout/dive bomber, used extensively by the Marine Corps and Navy, that saw a great deal of action in the Pacific during WWII. His weapons were twin-mounted .30 caliber Browning machine guns. Heparticularly saw action on Rabal in the Pacific.Keith was predeceased by two of his children: his first son, Michael, who died in childhood in 1963, and his daughter, Daisy Keith, who committed suicide at age 27.When future Family Affair (1966) co-star Johnny Whitaker appeared in the movie The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966), Keith was so impressed by Johnny's acting that he invited him to co-star in Keith's new sitcom.Met actor Michael Landon on an episode of Crusader (1955). The two became good friends from 1956 until Landon's death on July 1, 1991.His final film Rough Riders (1997) was dedicated to his memory.In 1945, seeking a commission as an officer in the Merchant Marine after four years' service in the Marine Corps, Keith was rejected due to his poor scores in algebra.Remained good friends with Johnny Whitaker and Kathy Garver, during and after Family Affair (1966).Made a comeback with a successful TV series when he was age 62.Owned a 200-acre ranch in Redlands, California and a 41-foot yacht 'Maialoha' off Waikiki.Although Keith had been acting since age three, he didn't appear in his first film until age 31. Before making his mark on screen, he acted in stock theater productions and on radio.Keith's third wife and widow, artist Victoria Young, was almost 23 years his junior. A native of Hawaii, she guest-starred with him on two episodes of Hardcastle and McCormick (1983). On The Little People (1972), she played a nurse. She and Keith had two children, Bobby (an artist) and Daisy Keith (who committed suicide, predeceasing both her parents).Changed his first name from Robert to Brian Keith, before becoming an actor.Actors Kathy Garver and Johnny Whitaker were said to be huge fans of his when they were both growing up. They both co-starred alongside him on Family Affair (1966), and stayed with the show until its cancellation in 1971.He was cast as the Russian astrophysicist Dr. Dubov in Meteor (1979) and Soviet Premier Gorny in World War III (1982) because he spoke fluent Russian.Keith was the stepson of two actresses, first, Peg Entwistle, who committed suicide, jumping from the "H" of the famous Hollywood Sign in 1932. His second stepmother, Dorothy Tierney, remained wed to his father until the latter's death.Guest starred on the first episode of Murder, She Wrote (1984).Met a young actor James Drury while making the film Ten Who Dared (1960); they became and remained friends until Keith's suicide on June 24, 1997.Was close friends with Charlton Heston.Commuted from Los Angeles to Hawaii to film The Little People (1972), every week for two seasons.He was disgusted in his role on Crusader (1955), because he thought the character was too much a souped-up action hero, not enough a regular guy.Before he found success as an actor, Keith worked in carnivals.Was very disappointed when Family Affair (1966), was canceled at the end of its fifth season during CBS's shift to more adult-oriented sitcom fare.Spent seven years on the New York stage in summer stock and live television before moving to California to find work in films.Used to reside not too far from his best friend Michael Landon.Was raised in Long Island, New York, by his grandmother.Keith's hobbies included: golfing, swimming, spending time with family, cooking, sailing, horseback riding, reading and painting.His ambition to follow his father into acting was delayed by World War II.Had boasted of telling CBS executives 'to go fly a kite' when they suggested toning down the content of his series The Westerner (1960) to make this more appealing to children.Was a commercial spokesperson for Camel Cigarettes in the 1950s.His future Family Affair (1966) co-star Kathy Garver had guest-starred with him twice: on an episode of his short-lived series Crusader (1955), and, just before his death, on Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994).Despite suffering an eye injury on the set of Hardcastle and McCormick (1983), he enjoyed his role on the series.Had four biological children (Michael, Mimi, Robert and Daisy) and three adopted children (Barbara, Betty and Rory). His first son, Michael, died in childhood in 1963. His 27-year old daughter, Daisy Keith, committed suicide 10 weeks before her father followed suit while battling terminal cancer. His son, Robert, was named for his father and grandfather.Was also good friends with John Mills' entire family.He was always producer Don Fedderson's first choice to play Uncle Bill Davis in Family Affair (1966).He never retired from acting until his death.He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on June 26, 2008.His second wife Judy Landon was an actress and dancer. They were married for 15 years until their divorce on May 2, 1969.Resided in Malibu, California, for over a quarter of a century, until his death on June 24, 1997.Father of Michael, Mimi, Robert and Daisy, and adoptive father of Barbara, Betty and Rory. His first son, Michael, died in childhood in 1963. His daughter Daisy Keith co-starred with him on Heartland (1989). His son, Robert, was named after his father (who was birth with the forename Robert) and his paternal grandfather.Attended and graduated from East Rockaway High School in East Rockaway, New York (1939).Began his career as a contract player for Paramount Pictures in 1953.Was offered the role of Deke Thornton in The Wild Bunch (1969), which he turned down, because he was under contract working on Family Affair (1966).Played the role of a real president of the United States in both of John Milius's films featuring Theodore Roosevelt. In The Wind and the Lion (1975), he co-starred as Roosevelt, himself. In Rough Riders (1997), Keith had a bit part as Theodore Roosevelt's predecessor, William McKinley (during the period when Roosevelt served as President McKinley's Assistant Secretary of the Navy).With the success of Family Affair (1966), Keith was able to star in another sitcom The Little People (1972).Actor Daniel Hugh Kelly was said to have been a huge fan of Keith, while growing up. His favorite movies in which Keith starred were The Rare Breed (1966) and Nevada Smith (1966). The two men remained friends during and after Hardcastle and McCormick (1983). Years later, he would land a co-starring role opposite Keith in Hardcastle and McCormick (1983), and stayed on the show until its cancellation in 1986.Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Uncle Bill Davis on Family Affair (1966).Beat out three other actors for the role of the title character in Hardcastle and McCormick (1983).Attended Michael Landon's funeral in 1991.Appeared on the front cover of TV Guide three times. |
| Trademarks: |
His gruff voice
His curly hair. |
| Quotes: |
In other words...you can't be a misogynist and expect women to appreciate you.
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New Year's Eve though it's a custom. We invite over friends who, like ourselves don't drink at all, or else very lightly.
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[on trying to live a long life]: If I live to be a hundred -- and I hope I do -- I won't have time to read all the books I want to read, or talk to the people I want to know. Not party talk. That's a waste of time. Real talk.
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<hr>
[on his handsomeness]: What for? I don't go to the Daisy or any of that. We don't give parties under a striped awning out over the lawn for two hundred people, four of whom we like.
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[on his popularity, while playing the forty-five something "Uncle Bill Davis" on Family Affair (1966)]: This is the type of show I love, because it reminds me of what happiness I have with my wife and our children. |
| Job title: |
Actor,Director,Soundtrack |
| Others works: |
(1991) TV commercial: Subaru automobiles
(1957) Unsold pilot: Starred in a pilot for a western TV series co-starring John Dehner called "Rafferty's Angels".
(1955) Print advertisement: Camel cigarettes
(1952) Unsold pilot: Co-starred (w/ |
| Spouse: |
Victoria Young (January 9, 1970 - June 24, 1997) (his death, 2 children)Judy Landon (June 23, 1954 - May 2, 1969) (divorced, 5 children)Frances Helm (January 3, 1948 - June 23, 1954) (divorced) |
| Parents: |
Helena Shipman
Robert Keith |
|
